2013 Semi-Half Yearly Lakorns in Review

Posted on May 14, 2013

This year thus far has been an incredible year for lakorns. I’ve decided to compile a semi half year review as oppose to attempting to review an entire year’s worth of lakorns in one post. What is surprising to me though, is that in looking at the list of lakorns that I’ve personally watched, there aren’t many. The ones that I did end up tuning into however, are oh so good. Quality over quantity, no?

The diverse and variety of lakorns released on the small screen this year are rather refreshing. We have controversies surrounding Neua Mek2– which is actually a really good lakorn emphasizing more on good overcoming evil- but apparently the government didn’t like the comparison so much- resulting in the first ever pull from the television prior to completing its run. I enjoyed the fast paced and CSI type aspect of it, not to mention the chemistry between Mteam. Pon Prom Onlaweng became a surprising hit, introducing Bella Ranee as nang’ek Tanyong who resides in Nong May’s (Nong Unda) body. There were a lot of things I liked about that particular lakorn, it brought Boy Pakorn to my utmost attention, and offered if not a better, but a different interpretation of the original version. Nong Unda is a true gem and I hope to see more of her in lakorns. Then the epic series happen by, Channel 3’s biggest project to date, 5 Gentlemen Juthatheps for our weekend installments, and TV scene’s endeavor with the 3 Musketeers Series to get us over the hump of the mid week. Despite the 3 Musketeers Series being remakes (and Pon Prom Onlaweng alongside Pan Rak Pan Rai are remakes as well), we are given refreshing new stories to indulge with in the handsome Gents series, as well as the many anticipating lakorns that will air for the vast remainder of the year.

Due to the Spring and Summer’s demand on my career (oh yes, I do have one of those..) as well as a few races that I’ve signed up for- and requires some commitment to daily outdoor runs (not to mention 3 weddings this June!)- I will be taking a break from lakorn recapping. I will still watch lakorns of course, and will write impressions and reviews. Should any lakorns grab my attention, and no one else is recapping it or english subbing it, I may consider picking it up but at a slower pace. If you feel I NEED and SHOULD recap a particular lakorn, do, by all means, send me a note. I love receiving what I call “love letters” from my readers, a quick, sweet request in my inbox (contact page,) at least to let me know that they exist.

Watching

Khun Chai Puttipat

Maya Tawan

Majurat See Nam Peung

Finished

Dropped

Neua Mek 2

Raeng Pradthana

Pon Prom Onlaweng

Khun Samee Kamalor Tee Rak

Pan Rak Pan Rai (Ch. 5)

Tawanchai Nai Marn Mek

Khun Chai Tharatorn

Khun Chai Pawornruj

On Hold

Pan Rai Phai Rak

Back in time

Other Drama

Phu Yai Lee Gup Nang Mah

On Call 36 Hrs

Coming Soon

Filming/Anticipating

Mon Jantra

Samee Tee Tra (Pope & Ploy, Jui)

Khun Chai Rachanon

Sai See Plerng (Chompoo & Chakrit, Nong Mew)

Fah Krajang Dao

Yah Leum Chan (Ann & Tik)

Khun Chai Ronnapee

Madam Dun (Mario & Ploy)

Dao Kiew Deun (Aum & Janie)

Ton Rak Rim Rua (Mark & Kim)

Rak Sud Rit (James Jirayu & Punch Worakarn)

Maybe

2014 Anticipation

Wun Nee Tee Ror Koy (Ch. 7)

Rising Sun Series

Dao Reurng

Pan Rak Pan Rai is good solely on the basis of the pairing. I didn’t care for the plot nor the fact that one girl can stir up so much damage, but Id-Korya was worthy enough to watch if you use your FF button. Like J said, that’s what it’s for right? I also went back in time to watch Headman Lee and Mrs. Ma which got me fangirling over Ploy-Por pairing. Perhaps the country pacing, characters’ growth and development, along with the lakorn’s plot got me in a different state of mind. It took me away from the here and now, and brought me to the upcountry in Thailand. For that, I enjoyed my time with Phu Yai Lee Gup Nang Ma. I also took a diversion and watched On Call 36 Hours, a Hong Kong drama that reminded me how much I love medical dramas. A race against time indeed, as we watch our doctors face their patients (and even themselves) while trying to be the best doctor they can be. Sometimes one needs to expand one’s horizon and watch other dramas to get a sense of what it is one likes about lakorns.

Returning back to lakorns, Maya Tawan is a disappointment (as far as remakes go) to me. Lakorn watching is so subjective and as a fan who adores Sam’s (Ch.7) version, it didn’t hit me in all the right places. There were certainly scenes that I liked, but overall, it fell flat for me. But it did perk my interest in the additional pairings to follow this first part- Mon Jantra and Fah Krajang Dao. New pairings and new stories that I haven’t already seen, now that will be refreshing. Pan Rai Phai Rak is currently being put on hold, I need to be in a different state of mind to enjoy this cute drama. Maybe I’ll return when other lakorns bore me. Are you surprised that I dropped Raeng Pradthana? Perhaps it wasn’t the right time for me. I like Kimberly and Nadech, but the storyline didn’t appeal to me, and so much of the conflict is fraught on by insensible misunderstandings or manipulations. Khun Samee and Tawanchai bored me in the first couple of episodes and I decided to drop them like hot potatoes. I heard that Khun Samee did improve as the lakorn progressed, so if you are curious to see how it all played out, you should probably continue watching!

The lakorns that really took my breath away was Khun Chai Pawornruj and now the next brother in line, Khun Chai Puttipat. Because the stories in the series build upon one another, Khun Chai Tharatorn has to start very low, as far as plot and pacing go. The story serves to introduce us to the five brothers, their personalities, as well as hook us enough to continue, because we want to find out how the rest of the stories fare. And I wasn’t disappointed. As the stories connect and grow, I grow to love all five gentlemen. Each story has a higher stake, a more dangerous conflict- there’s definitely a lot more to lose. Khun Chai Tharatorn didn’t get to marry his beloved as he has to send her to continue her studies abroad. Khun Chai Pawornruj never imagined he would win the heart of a princess, he was insecure with his own place in his particular noble class, and he didn’t want to take her down with him. But he gets his girl in the end and marries her. Khun Chai Puttipat on the other hand, is a confident, strict doctor who doesn’t believe anyone is above a lecture, including powerful people. There’s so much to adore about this character, he’s also not afraid to express (in the best, confusing way that he can manage) that he is falling for our girl, Krong Kaew, who makes it very challenging for him because she denies her own feelings. Due to her own humble, commoner upbringing, Krong Kaew doesn’t think she should reach for the sky. Oh but each pairing is meant to be so I do enjoy watching how they surrender to their beautiful fate. And not only will our third pairing get to marry, but they will also have many love scenes, including the marriage bed. Who isn’t looking forward to that? Stupid, rhetorical question.

Alas, I am really sad to finish off the Gentlemen Series. Thankfully there’s the rest of Khun Chai Mor to spazz over, and additional two stories of Chai Lek and Chai Pee that are about to get even more fierce and dramatic. Also, Taew and Mint Chalida! Need I say more? Weekends are so awesome! And our mid week is about to get even better with Mon Jantra premiering right around the corner. I am on the fence on whether I want to watch Wun Nee Tee Ror Koy, which is one of my older favorites. I don’t know if this remake will do it justice, and they have Om Akapan, Mr.Stiff playing Bird Thongchai’s role, he’s good to look at, but I have serious concerns on whether he can pull it off. And I don’t want to be scarred, not to mention that it’s a channel 7 drama, and the last one I watched (Ubatheehet), it made me want to pull my hair out. The same goes for Dao Reurng, I originally planned on recapping this lakorn, but Yaya to me, seems to pair best with her koo kwan, Nadech, and I’d like to see Por in a different role than another upcountry officer.

So what are you looking forward to? Are they similar to my list or are there additional lakorns you’re keeping your eyes on? There will be lots of remakes still in our era (Yah Leum Chan, Samee Tee Tra, Sai See Plerng, all starring very intriguing pairs) but I suppose the pairings in and of itself, is worthy enough of a follow. There will be some exciting lakorns for the latter half of the year so stay tune, and stay spazz-tastic!

(Pic cred as tagged. I’ll be keeping this post at the top of the page for now. Feel free to chime in- especially for those who have seen the lakorns that I haven’t partaken with. I heard that Koo Kum (Bie & Noona) was a big hit among many, as well as Roy Lae Sanae Luang (Weir & Mai!)

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25 Comments

I am loving the Gentlemen series, yes agree, Khun Chai Taratorn was a slower pace, but it is the beginning, so I sort of expected that, I love how the stories transitions well at the end of each story so that we know what to expect. I’m loving each brother individually, all are wonderful and handsome in their own way. I understand that you will be busy, but will most certainly love if you continue to recap. I love to read your thoughts and opinions. 🙂 still sad and disappointed about NM2, loved the pacing and chemistry between MTEAM. They still need a redemption lakorn, in my opinion.

As far as remakes go, my list of remakes is similar to yours, however, I’ve only seen or never seen bits of the original so I can’t compare the way that you do. Sorry. 🙂

Maya Tawan: The girls are beautiful, I really like their individual personality and how they are all different, can’t wait for the rest of the series, love Yaya’s cutesy character, not digging Aum’s hair.

Porn Prom Onlaweng: Pretty good. The pairing of Boy Pakorn and Bella Ranee was nice, Nong Unda (Nong May) is an amazing actress. I applaud her, she is so cute and adorable. I really liked the pairing of Kong Sorawit and Aom Sucharat, they were so funny, real reason that kept me going with the story.

Pan Rak Pan Rai: Like you said, didn’t care much for the storyline, but loved the Id-Korya pairing of Toomtam and Charebelle. Amazing chemistry. I’ve seen a bit of the original version with Chai Chatayodom and Jieb Sopitnapa, both versions are good. Mo Monchanok did an amazing job as Payia.

Koo Kum: liked the pairing of Noona Neungthida and Bie Sukrit, they really match and have good chemistry, watched, but didn’t really like it, still prefer movie version with Mam Jintara and Oh Warut. They were amazing in there.

Haven’t watched much of Ch.7 lakorns, so don’t know much, only one looking forward to is Bodyguard Sao with Sammie Puntitha and Es Kantapong, as well Yah Leum Chan with Anne Thongprasom and Tik Jesdaporn, and Samee Tee Tra with Ploy Chermarn and Pope Thanawat. Haven’t seen originals of these, but liking the pairings. P’Pope really stole my heart in Tawan Deard when he paired with Mint Chalida. Sorry for the long list but that’s my list.

Hi sweetie (hehehe)- thanks for your list. Regarding Aum, to me he’s more known for his acting skills than his looks. At times with the right scene and expression he is hot to me, haha. The problem I have with Yaya’s portrayal is that it came off too cutesy when the role requires clumsy, steel and funny. Ah, but she’s sure pretty to look at. And I think Mo played her role as Payia so well, I hate her now, lol. Well, hate is a strong word, I strongly dislike her- to the point where I won’t even watch her lakorns if she’s n’ek- oh this fickle fangirl! Everytime I re-watch Pope Thanawat’s scenes in Chai Ruj, I just spazz all over again. He really has captured my fangirl heart!

Wow, you’ve gone through quite a few lakorns for half a year! I’ve already got my ‘love it’ lakorn of the year with Khun Samee but my lakorn luck is pretty meh otherwise. Like you I’m putting Pan Rai Phai Rak on hold because I’m simply not in a drama watching mood these days and it seems like a potentially good drama that I want to be able to enjoy.

I didn’t watch as much as you did, but I am loving the Gentlemen Series. Nadech&Kim’s drama, I just didn’t like the plot of it all. I attempted some, but so far, they weren’t eye-catching or anything for me. Nowadays, I rarely ever watch ch.7 lakorns. For a couple of reasons with the fact some of them have no taste in the characters and plot, too dramatic, and they start to get too long; dragging it out.

I have to agree. This past year (or maybe us the last part of the 2012) and this year has stocked piled us with plenty of juicy and exciting lakorns. I’m looking forward to so many as well. There were some that were major flops for me as well and some that I just couldn’t even bring myself to start. Raeng Pradtana being one of them. Also, I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought Maya Tawan was boring. But I have to agree Mon Jun Tra really has me giggly like a little girl who was just served ice cream on a hot summer day. Besides all the ones you’ve mentioned I’m also looking forward to Endless Love which starts next week. There are a lot that probably won’t air until much later this year or early next year like Ruk Sud Rit and Nai Suan Kwan amongst many others that I’m am also anxiously awaiting.

Hi there Nee- the three lakorns you mentioned, I haven’t really been following, please be sure to stop by and tell me what you think of them (once they air.) I cannot wait for MJT as well, Chakrit and Margie makes a girl’s heart go pitter patter. Thanks for your thoughts!

Aw thank you. It is my pleasure. Be sure to stop by often to see if any new surprising posts happen- or feel free to subscribe to the blog 🙂 As always, I appreciate your support and feedback, Ms Elizabeth!

Hi there, thank you so much for your love of lakorns and you beautifully written recaps/thoughts/feelings. I so appreciate your wonderful writing. I look forward to reading your recaps than watching the series themselves. That’s how much they are. Blessings on your break from recaps etc and return to the “world”.

For me, the difference between ch.7 and ch.3 lakorns is the fact that even if a ch.3 lakorns bores me, I can still manage to finish it eventually somehow. I have started many ch.7 lakorns but I mostly give up after one or two episodes, and even if I finish the lakorn, it’s just average and hardly make it to the top of my fav list ^^ I’ve finished Rak leh sanea luang, it was okay I guess. The storyline wasn’t anything new, it’s a lot similar to Weir’s past lakorns. The pacing was slow and repetitive but still watchable.
There was one lakorn that I quite enjoyed despite its flaws, it was Tawan tor saeng with Mai and Dome from last year. Somehow, the storyline just drew me in and even made me (kind of) disregard Dome’s lack of acting skill.

Coming to ch.3 lakorns…

Neua mek 2 – I dropped it after the first week of broadcast. I didn’t like any of the characters and I thought it was trying too hard to look cool and sweet and dramatic that it went overboard. Even the OST was overly dramatic. Not my cup of tea.

Tawanchai nai marn mek and Khun samee kamalor was a bit boring, but I did finish both.

Raeng pradthana… I loved Kim and Nadech pairing, but the lakorn itself wasn’t satisfying. I’m fine with misunderstandings as long as they are quickly cleared (which was sort of the case in RP) but I expected something intense and the lakorn didn’t deliver… I really hope they will pair up again.

Pon prom onlawaeng, I agree with everything you said, it was a good lakorn. I never really liked Boy but after seeing him as Mor Vee, it sets my hopes high for Fah krajang dao. I really hope that in FKD, he will portray a serious character, not a goofy one.

Maya Tawan failed in being interesting but it sure makes you anticipate the next two installments, especially Mon Janthra. I really enjoy watching the three ladies together and teasing each other.

For the Juthathep boys, when I first read about each of the storylines, I found them boring and thought that if I were to like one, then that one would be Pawornruj. Turns out that I was right. I totally loved it =)
Tharatorn was okay. As for Puttipat, I’m not that invested in it and find myself fast-forwarding a lot. I’m currently on episode 5 and so far, the only scenes I pay attention to are the scenes where the 5 Khunchai’s are together ^^ And even though I don’t have expectations for the upcoming intallments, I know I’ll be watching it 🙂

Lastly, the list of lakorns that I’m anticipating is similar to yours, with the addition of Mark & Kim’s Ton rak rim rua and Rome & Matt’s Rak nee jae jad hai.

Hi Sousday- I’m glad you brought up Ton Rak Rim Rua, it’s on my mental list, but for some reason it didn’t get added to this list! I love Mark and Kim from Punyachon, so will definitely be tuning in. What is your next subbing project by the way so I can let any curious minds know? I’m also curious to see the pairing of Rome and Matt, it’s probably going to be good because Matt seems to pair well with any man, hah. Regarding Pon Prom and Boy Pakorn, I feel that Boy plays best in a caring, serious role like Nah Wee. I was really sold on his delivery of Dr. Wee. Excited to see him pair with Matt in FKD. Thanks for your list and cheers to the myriad of future lakorns that will (hopefully) knock our socks off.

For now, I think I’ll be hanging at Majurat see nampeung’s channel over at Viki and help the team while finishing Paen rai phai rak. For the future, I’ve received many requests asking me to sub Ton rak rim rua so I’m considering it as a possible next project =)

Thank you so much for the reviews! I love your writing and coming here to spazz about the latest lakorns! I really have only seen bits and pieces of shows on the list…The only one I’ve been really hooked on and watched all the way through is the Gentleman Series. I am so in love with Chai Pat!
Can’t wait to see how Chai Lek and Chai Pee turn out..I really like Chalida 🙂

So far this year, I think the lakorns I’ve watched have been okay, good but not good,good. I only watched ch3’s lakorns; I barely watched any from Ch7 or others. The lakorns I watched this year: Neua Mek 2, I liked it and I actually enjoyed it but sadly it was cancel halfway, which suck!!! I also watched Khun Samee Tee Rak. I was really into it and I thought it was a beautiful lakorn, even though, Chompoo’s character got on my nerves! Lol. I finished watching Khun Chai Tharatorn, and I didn’t really like it at all. I got so bored of it but I finished it because I was so into Teacher Chinnakorn and Mint N’s character. I watched it for them. I was so interested in them from their first scene that I didn’t even care for the main characters. I just wanted them to be the main characters. To me, they stole the scenes from the original pra’nang, and I’m not even a fan of there’s. Lol. I was kind of disappointed at Khun Chai Ruj’s story. I expected more. I was super happy and excited at first because it was Pope!! The first two or three episodes were good; I liked it but then in the middle of the story, nothing wasn’t happening and sparking at all for me. I got kind of bored. But later on towards the episodes at the end, when they were in the cabin and things start happening, like they find out who Rasa was, and Rasa keeps on coming to the brothers’ house to see Khun Chai Ruj but he didn’t want to see her, those were the scenes that pulled me into the story. I thought the those scene could of have come in a bit earlier to make me more into it. Overall, Khun Chai Ruj was okay,good; I’ll give it 7 out of 10.

As for the lakorns I dropped, the reason why I didn’t finished them was because I got bored and I wasn’t really interested in them. They were Raeng Pratana, Buang Barp, and Tawan Chai Nai Marn Mek. I really wanted to finish watching RP and TCNMM but I wasn’t into them at all especially TCNMM. I was excited for it because I liked the story line, I like both Boy and Taew but then the first episode was so blah! It was so “Blah!” that I didn’t want to continue on. I might just go watch cut scenes of Boy and Taew. Same goes toward BB, the first episode was just “Blah!”.

I am skipping Khun Chai Pat, I don’t think Bella match playing nang’ek role. I did watch episode 1 though, and I thought it was okay. I want to watch it because it’s one of the story in The Gentlemen Series but I’m not really feeling it. So, I skipped. As for the lakorn that I put it on hold, it’s Film and Matt’s lakorn. I actually like it but then I put it on hold for some reason, I forgot why. Lol.

My list of anticipating lakorns is exactly the same as yours except for Sai See Plerng and Madam Dun. I’ll add in, Matt and Rome’s lakorn along with Punch and James J’s lakorn.

Aw, that’s a bummer you’re skipping on Chai Pat, but everyone is entitled to watch what they like 🙂 Hopefully the rest of the lakorns this year will be what you’re hoping for. As always, I appreciate your feedback!

Koo gum is very exceptional lakorn, well direct, brilliant acting by Bie and Noona. They have amazing/sizzling chemistry as a couple. As my opinion alone koo gum almost flawless minus the editing part. Bie really shine in Kobori character, well before most of fans known the fact that Bie acting was not so good.I haven’t watched previous remakes so I will not make a comparison, to me Koo gum 2013 is the best, topping other lakorns I have watched to date. Koo gum also has turned me to Bie and Noona hardcore shipper.
I haven’t watched most of lakorns on your lists except for Raeng Pradthana and Phu Yai Lee. As a watcher I’m extremely picky over lakorn or drama. Well we have same tastes on Phu Yai Lee. Couldn’t agree any more,you’re so right about Phu Yai Lee. Not to forget the awesome opening theme song sang by Buddha Bless.
Sorry I’m not good in reviewing lakorn, this is my first time.

Hi there! I’m glad to hear that Koo Gum has left such an impression on you, I have heard that it is the closest portrayal/adaptation to the book and has won many fans. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and let’s hope that the rest of 2013 will bring us more enjoyable lakorns! Cheers- Fia.

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